Hueso, Catholic Charities join to give families a happier Thanksgiving
EL CENTRO — Since losing her job in April 2017, it’s been a struggle for Maria Islas.
A single mother, with two kids — a 16-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter — the Calipatria resident has endured two painful knee surgeries, which has limited her ability to find employment.
“I’m a cook, and I used to work for a restaurant in Calipatria, and it closed down,” Islas said Monday. “I’ve been looking for work, but my doctor only wants me to work 20 hours a week (because of her knee). … It’s hard to find a job.”
Without public assistance and the assistance of charitable organizations, she doesn’t know what she would survive. Providing her family a Thanksgiving dinner is the least of her worries, but it’s not something she has to think about, at least not today.
Islas was one of 55 less-fortunate families assisted by the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego’s office in El Centro on Monday when 55 dinners were distributed that included a turkey, stuffing and other trimmings, and some fresh produce through the Imperial Valley Food Bank’s commodities program.
This food distribution event means “having a Thanksgiving on the table for my two kids and myself.” Islas said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help.”
Thanks to a donation of 55 turkeys from state Sen. Ben Hueso’s office, a number of families will be a little less burdened on Thanksgiving Day.
“These families have lots of burdens on their shoulders this time of year. We’re trying to lessen their burdens during these holidays so they can have a Thanksgiving dinner, so they can be thankful for what they have,” said Isabel Andrade, food resource center program coordinator for Catholic Charities.
On Monday morning, Catholic Charities set out the turkeys on one table and the trimmings on another, opened its conference room doors, and held a smallish event for the pre-determined families who would get support. Andrade said Catholic Charities has a database of families that ask for help, and it has tried to spread around the assistance to different communities and different families each year.
“These are the families we’ve worked with closely throughout the year, so we know their situation and what they are going through,” Andrade said.
The event included a prayer from Catholic Charities staff and a few words of thanks from Mario Renteria, Hueso’s district representative in El Centro.
Sen. Hueso did make a statement regarding the Catholic Charities event:
“I am grateful for moments like these when I am able to assist families beyond the realm of policy,” Hueso, D-San Diego, said. “This generous community effort proves that we have much to be thankful for here in the Imperial Valley, and I thank Catholic Charities for bringing families together during this season giving.”
This is the fourth year Catholic Charities has held the turkey dinner distribution.
“It’s gratifying for us that we can help these families,” Andrade said.
Rebecca Yanez, of Calexico, and her household are one of those families. She lives with her daughter, and she was with three adults and two children Monday.
“I’m very enthusiastic about this because I can see all of these families today of that are going to benefit,” Yanez said in Spanish.
She said the need for food and emotional support brought her to Catholic Charities, and she appreciated having the opportunity to speak with staff there.
“That has helped me to be strong and continue on, for me to be a different person,” Yanez said, “more confident and keep going [through her troubles].”
As for the event, Andrade said she wishes she could serve even more families. “We hope that in the future we can have more agencies and private donors who help these families in need,” she added.
Lupita Rodriguez, office manager for Catholic Charities in El Centro, said she wanted to thank Sen. Hueso for his generosity in providing the turkeys. “This is very fulfilling work,” she added. And although Islas said she and her family will continue to struggle until her fortunes turnaround, “I’m blessed and thankful to all the agencies that help (those in need) out.”